Hamilton MINUTES: Hamilton Historical Board Tuesday, 18 June, 2013 - 12:30 pm - 2:30 prn Lister Basement Meeting Room

CHAIR: Rob Hamilton MINUTE TAKER: Christopher Redford PRESENT: Robin Mckee, Susanne Noordyk, Pat Saunders, Mary Anderson, Bob Williamson, Christine Lei STAFF: REGRETS: Carolyn Mccann, Kathy Wakeman, Russ Powers, John Nixon, Ian Kerr-Wilson, James Elliott GUESTS: APPROVAL OF AGENDA That the June 2013 Agenda of the Hamilton Historical Board be approved. (Robin, Rob) 1. DECLARATION OF INTEREST (None) 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES That the May 2013 minutes of the Hamilton Historical Board be approved (as amended Pat, Mary passed) 3. ANNOUNCEMENTS In reference to last month's meeting motion:

MOTION: (refer to page 15 of the HHB Operating Manual / Section A.1.2.1) That this section read "current members of the Hamilton Historical Board will be ineligible to be nominated for or receive 'The Reverend T. Melville Bailey Heritage Award' ." (Susanne, Christine - Robin and Bob abstained. PASSED)

Bob Williamson would like to go on record as being opposed and states his opinion that this motion is counterproductive.

• Beaver Dams re-enactment this weekend • Stinson School yard sale this weekend • St Marks on Bay St Open House public consultation • Liuna 27m inventory for LACAC is being announced (wording from Ian) • 28-30 Tails Ships Event • Peace Garden built 1,812 geraniums planted (by McQuesten lookout on York)

4. ITEMS OF MOTION 1812 COMMEMORATIVE MOTIONS 4.1.1 Communications & Education Sub-committee 4.1.2 Editorial Team 4.1.3 Heritage Events Sub-Committee 4.1.4 Joint Plaquing Sub-Committee MINUTES:Hamilton Historical Board Page 2 of 5 June 18, 2013

4,2 OTHER ITEMS OF MOTION 4.2.1 Communications & Education Sub-Committee 4.2.2 Editorial Team 4.2.3 Joint Plaquing Sub-Committee

MOTION 1: That the attached wording for the Westdale Planned Community Commemorative plaque be approved. (Robin, Susanne PASSED - Rob Hamilton ABSTAINED)

Westdale: An Early Planned Suburban Community

Westdale is one of Canada's first planned suburban communities. Undeveloped land was designed, from its inception, to be a fully integrated and self-contained suburban community. Westdale's origins can be traced to 1911 when contractor J. J. McKittrick purchased 100 acres of land to promote the development of "Hamilton Gardens". The concept of creating a "garden city" was taken from a new town- planning movement in the United Kingdom. The movement promoted the design of self-contained communities having proportionate areas set aside for residences, industry, and parks. McKittrick formed a syndicate which included former Lieutenant-Governor, Sir John Gibson, which secured an additional 700 acres of land.

In 1914, Hamilton acquired jurisdiction over the area. New York architect Robert Pope designed an 800-acre garden city that would become known as Westdale. The neighbourhood resembled a small village with a series of streets arranged in concentric ovals radiating from a central commercial area. It was designed to support a community of approximately 1,700 households. By 1930, Westdale was largely settled and a prominent educational institution, McMaster University, relocated from Toronto to join the community.

The central shopping area still provides residents with all amenities. It is one of only a handful of communities in Canada where families can see their children educated from preschool through graduate school, all within walking distance of home.

Hamilton Historical Board 2013

MOTION 2: That the attached wording for the Hamilton Cemetery Commemorative plaque be approved. (Robin, Susanne - Unanimously PASSED)

Hamilton Cemetery

Hamilton Cemetery is the first municipally owned and operated cemetery in Canada, dating to 1848. The city purchased land on Burlington Heights from Christ's Church Cathedral cemetery. In 1892 the city amalgamated three MINUTES: Hamilton Historical Board Page 3 of 5 June 18, 2013 cemeteries as Hamilton Cemetery. It is now over 100 acres, and the site of over 70,000 burials.

Hamilton Cemetery is an excellent example of a Victorian "Garden Cemetery". Its characteristics are an informal layout, contoured terrain, winding roadways and attractive landscaping of grass, trees and shrubs. The extensive grounds contain a variety of tombstones, monuments and vaults, set in a park-like setting.

The 1854 stone Gothic Revival gatehouse is another distinct feature of the cemetery. Designed as a mortuary chapel and caretaker's residence, this dual purpose structure is one of only two in Ontario. Since 1900 the building has functioned as the office for the cemetery and its archives.

MOTION 3: That the attached wording for the Harmony Apartments Heritage Recognition plaque be approved. (Robin, Pat - Unanimous)

CITY CREST

The Harmony building, erected in 1935, was the dream of Dr. Vincenzo Agro. He immigrated from Italy and was troubled by the Fascist movement in this city. He believed some local Italians showed more love for the old land than the new.

Agro led the drive to open a hall, a place that he hoped would encourage loyalty among its members towards their adopted country. Dances, plays, pageants and meetings were held here.

The front of the building is stone. Etched in it are instruments of ancient times - the lyre, the lute, a horn. Bountiful clusters of carved fruit - pineapples, grapes, plums - are draped over the door and around the windows.

In June of 1940, Italian leader Benito Mussolini declared war on the Allies. Within hours, the RCMP and Hamilton police began rounding up dozens from the city's Italian community. Frightened immigrant parents piled Italian schoolbooks - history, grammar, spelling texts - into fireplaces and burned them.

Some local Italians, including tailors, grocers, steelworkers, musicians, were sent to the Petawawa internment camp. By late 1943 most had been released. Other Italians joined the forces and fought for this country, eager to prove they were Canadians. When the war ended, activities at the Italian hall never did resume, and the building became the Harmony Apartments.

HHB Heritage Recognition 2013 The Hamilton Historical Board gratefully acknowledges the support of Vince Agro and Joseph Abichedid MINUTES: Hamilton Historical Board Page 4 of 5 June 18, 2013 4.2.4 Heritage Events Subcommittee MOTION: That the Hamilton Historical Board submit Pat Saunders as a nominee for membership on the Canadian Sesquicentennial Committee. (Christine, Bob- PASSED Unanimously)

5. 2012 HHB Budget &Work Plan/MHP Report - Ian Kerr-Wilson 6. BUSINESS ITEMS 6.1. Committee Reports (5 minutes each for questions) 6.1.1. Communications & Education Sub-committee- John Nixon NO MEETING 6.1.2. Editorial Team - Christine Lei • Over 7005 gathered at Battlefield for Historicity • Fieldcote has provided a wealth of information for next Historicity

6.1.3. Heritage Events Sub-Committee - Pat Saunders Abbreviated meeting on the 8th George Hamilton Event Maria Pearson has accepted as master of ceremonies Ian Bell music Meeting Susan on Thursday Robin delivering talk on Sara Calder

6.1.4. Joint Plaquing Sub-Committee - Robin McKee • Designation plaques for 2013 are all installed. • Graffiti issue on High Level Bridge That the reports of Item 6.1 be received. () 6.2. Questions Arising from Other Reports/Projects (5 minutes each for questions) 6.2.1. Municipal Heritage Committee - Kathy Wakeman 6.2.2. War of 1812 Bicentennial C.A.C. - Robin McKee 6.2.3. City Museums Programme Committee - Carolyn McCann 6.2.4. City Museum & Archive Sub-Committee - Rob Hamilton Spoken to Clare Crozier - finishing their move - followup after Thanksgiving. That the reports of Item 6.2 be received. () 6.3. Questions Arising from Museum Reports (5 minutes each for questions) 6.3.1. Battlefield House Museum & Park - Kathy Wakeman Tremendously successful bicentennial event 6.3.2. Hamilton Children's Museum - Carolyn McCann 6.3.3. Dundurn National Historic Site - Pat Saunders 6.3.4. Hamilton Military Museum - Christine Lei 6.3.5. Fieldcote Memorial Park & Museum - Christopher Redford 6.3.6. Griffin House - Robin McKee Hired interpreter 6.3.7, Hamilton Museum of Steam & Technology - Kathy Wakeman 6.3.8, Historic House & Garden - Mary Anderson

That all reports of Items 6.1, 6.2, and 6.3 be received (Pat, Bob - Unanimous) . Other HHB Business 7.1 Grounds Use Requests () MINUTES: Hamilton Historical Board Page 5 of 5 June 18, 2013 That the reports of all items be received () 8. New Business 9. Adjournment (Bob Christine - PASSED)